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How the Story startedIt all seems a long time ago since the band started back in 2014, in fact we have our 10th Anniversary next year. I had the idea back in 2012 during my 50th birthday and what a musical 10 year journey l was about to begin.
So, in 2020 we released our 4th Album “Sand & Stone” building on the previous three albums “Chris Bevington & Friends” followed by “Better Start Cookin” then “Cut and Run”. Each Album has had its own identity and no Album is the same, mixing a host of Blues styles under the watchful eye of Scott Ralph and Jim Kirkpatrick. Scott and Jim both wrote the Album tracks, Engineered and Produced the albums calling on the skills of many superb Musicians such as Robert Hart, Rebecca Downs, Steve Overland, George Glover, Chris Aldridge to name a few.
All four Albums have had Chart success in the UK, Europe and the USA and extensive airplay in those countries and beyond. Cut and Run hit the charts in 2018, followed by Sand & Stone leading to a IBBA nomination for best Album for Sand & Stone in 2020 and also Best UK Band for 2020.
With all bands who stay together for a long time, it’s not unexpected to see the comings and goings of many Band members but each one has left a positive mark and made CBO the band it is today.
So, for 2024 we have a new line up, headed on Main Vocals by James Hodgkinson supported a host of great musicians including Luke Machin. CBO boasts both a Brass Section and Backing Vocal Section and the current members are building on the success of the earlier band and with a full diary of Gigs for 2024 and it’s going to be so great to get back on the Road again.
So how did the story start for CBO
“It all started in 2012, I spent some time in Wales around the Snowdon area, so l had lots of walking and thinking time and I put together a little plan and hoped it would work. There was a number of questions first – what type of music should I play, it would need to be a version of other people’s tracks for start, and how many tracks should I try, where should I record it and who should I ask to join me. The original plan was to record four tracks, that’s all and it was never planned to be an album. Also it was never planned to be released or anything, it was purely to see if I could create, with friends, a style of Blues that was made up of Brass instruments, Slide Guitar, Full vocals, keys and to create a “happy, upbeat bluesy feel”.
So, in 2013, I went to visit Dan Rowley at Tremolo Recording studio and explained my story. I felt very happy and relaxed, and we agreed to start in 2013.
This was the start of the amazing adventure, we had 50 reviews all over the world and not a single bad point, incredible really, the Airplay grew and grew and the next thing you know we are in the UK Blues charts and then the Blues Charts in the USA.
So that’s how it all started back in 2012 and now we are on the Fifth Album after a number of previous albums with guest stars such as Robert Hart, Rebecca Downes, Pete Frampton and many others – just wonderful – also Airplay by Paul Jones on BBC Radio 2.
So, 2024 is upon us and CBO is flying high, new Band, new ideas and new excitement to record a fifth Album. Its been an amazing journey, sometimes l felt that the Bands time had come to an end but for only the reasons the musical gods understand, when the band seemed at a low point, it just fought back and grew stronger than before.
I just want the journey to just keep going and with the wonderful support of friends and l have no wish to stop now. So, let’s have a year of live Music and fun in 2024 and l hope to see you all out there.
Finally, I always keep very close to my little church in North Wales by the Sea and sit there for some chill out time and my mind drifts back to 2012 and the time I had this crazy little idea that grew into this fantastic Project.
I am very lucky to have this chance and l am grateful for it too
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Eleven, Kidsgrove, United Kingdom
